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LifeLock vs Discover: Taking Your Identity Protection Seriously

Extensive surveillance and security measures with an excellent alert system. Offers unique device security benefits and anti-virus protection to ensure internet browsing safety.

  • Security benefits for unlimited number of household devices
  • Offers diverse package selection at a variety of price points
  • Provides surveillance on 401(k) and investment bank accounts
discover

Provides digital and physical security features, including dark web monitoring. Up to 10 children can be added to your plan for free, giving excellent family cover.

  • Provides monthly credit reports and scores
  • US-based customer service is available at all times in case of emergency
  • Competitively priced at just $15 per month

Cybercrime has become a major issue in our technology-driven society. Sources predict that by 2021, cybercrime will cost the world $6 trillion, making it the largest transfer of economic wealth ever.

While it’s normal to assume that cybercriminals target major organizations for lucrative data and information, the reality is that they tend to prey on the vulnerable. Civilians represent easy targets for hackers.

It’s now more important than ever to protect your personal identity, particularly in the online sphere. If you’ve decided to purchase an identity protection plan, you must compare LifeLock vs. Discover. The following guide can help you decide which option is best for you.

LifeLock vs. Discover: Comparison

WHAT YOU GET

LIFELOCK

DISCOVER

Coverage

  • Individuals and families
  • Discover card holders and their children

Core Security Services

  • Comprehensive surveillance and monitoring
  • Device security protection (Norton 360)
  • Restoration services
  • 4 separate package options
  • Monitors all banks accounts, including 401(k) and investment accounts
  • 3-bureau monitoring, credit scores, and reports
  • Comprehensive alert system
  • 24/7 live member support availability
  • Internet-based surveillance and monitoring, including the dark web
  • 3-bureau credit alerts
  • Offers customers digital dashboard access to view and monitor their account
  • US-based customer service is available 24/7
  • Fraud resolution specialists can assist you in the event of a theft


Insurance and Fund Reimbursement

  • Up to $1,000,000 reimbursements for 3 separate policies - stolen funds, legal assistance, and personal expense compensation
  • Up to $1,000,000 insurance reimbursement

QUICK FACE-OFF

Similarities

  • Both providers give customers account access through mobile apps and desktop platforms.
  • Discover and LifeLock apps are highly rated and available on Android and Apple app stores.
  • Each service monitors and surveys the internet and the dark web for fraudulent use of your information.
  • Notifications and alerts are sent if changes are made to your credit or bank accounts.
  • Your physical address is monitored on the USPS database, alerting you of any suspicious activity.
  • Both providers update their customers if known criminals or offenders are located nearby.
  • Payday loan alert systems are triggered if an account is open in your name. Both providers can provide cover for the majority of payday lenders.
  • Lost wallet assistance is offered to help block and replace lost or stolen bank cards.
  • 24/7 customer service is available from both companies.
  • In the event of a theft, both providers will help you recover your stolen information through their respective fraud resolution services.
  • Both providers provide up to $1,000,000 reimbursement, although the exact details differ significantly.
  • Children can be added to both plans. However, LifeLock charges extra per child, whereas Discover allows up to 10 children to be added for free.
  • 3-bureau credit alerts are sent to customers if there is suspicious activity detected.

Differences

  • Discover offers one plan while LifeLock provides 4 different packages at a variety of price points.
  • LifeLock offers extensive device (PCs, smartphones, tablets) security services, including device protection, a secure VPN, and cloud backup. Discover doesn’t offer any device protection.
  • Discover charges a set monthly fee. LifeLock monthly charges increase after the first year across all 4 packages.
  • For children to be added to your plan, LifeLock charges an extra $5.99 per month, per child. Up to 10 children can be added to a plan for free with Discover.
  • Discover identity protection is only available for Discover credit or debit card holders.
  • Discover offers a single $1,000,000 reimbursements to cover stolen funds, lost wages, legal bills, and other expenses incurred due to theft. LifeLock provides 3 separate $1,000,000 policies for stolen funds, legal assistance, and personal expense compensation.
    LifeLock offers to alert its customers via phone call.
  • Discover alerts are limited to email, app, or text notifications.
  • Discover provides daily monitoring of the Experian bureau. LifeLock provides 3-bureau surveillance, covering Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
  • LifeLock provides customers with annual credit reports and scores. Discover offers more regular updates by providing monthly credit reports and scores.

More about Discover versus Wells Fargo

LifeLock Features and Services 

Security Features and Identity Protection

LifeLock identity theft protection is available through a series of tiered offerings. LifeLock customers can avail of comprehensive SSN, bank account, credit card surveillance, annual 3-bureau credit reports and scores, and dark web scanning.

Certain packages come with Norton 360, which is an anti-virus and device protection software. It protects your computer or mobile from phishing scams and includes a VPN for safe and anonymous browsing. This is very useful if you use online banking.

Credit Monitoring

Your credit score is a key indicator of identity theft. LifeLock credit monitoring services track your credit and bank accounts and alert you of any suspicious activity through a phone call, mobile app, or email.

You receive annual 3-bureau credit reports and scores, allowing you to keep an eye on your financial health.

Recovery

LifeLock focuses on 3 key ways to protect its customers.

The first is that it covers you for personal expenses incurred due to identity theft (up to the limits of your plan). Secondly, you’re repaid for money stolen due to identity theft (up to the limits of your plan). Finally, LifeLock provides lawyers and experts to help you resolve your case.

LifeLock pays up to $1,000,000 in insurance reimbursements. Its US-based customer service team is available 24/7.

Plans and Pricing

LifeLock Standard

The most basic package costs $9.99 per month, rising to $11.99 after year one. 

Select

LifeLock Select is identical to the Standard Package other than the inclusion of Norton 360. It costs $9.99 per month, rising to $14.99 after year one.

Advantage

LifeLock Advantage is priced at $17.99 per month, rising to $24.99 after year one. As well as the basic services, this package includes bank account and credit card activity alerts and alerts on crimes committed in your name.

4

Ultimate Plus

The premium offering costs $25.99 per month, rising to $34.99 after year one. The additional benefits include annual 3-bureau credit reports and scores, 401(k) and investment account activity alerts, and home title monitoring.

For a LifeLock family plan, you may add children to your account at an extra cost. LifeLock Junior add ons are $5.99 per month.

Pros and Cons

PROS

  • The LifeLock app is highly rated on the Android and Apple app stores.
  • 4 package options give a wide variety of choices at a number of price points.
  • Norton 360 can give customers protection on an unlimited number of electronic devices (Ultimate Plus package).
  • LifeLock provides unique security benefits for devices, including cloud backup, virus protection, and secure VPN.
  • Monitors and surveys banks accounts, including 401(k) and investment accounts.
  • LifeLock users can avail of round the clock customer support.
  • Identity Lock feature allows you to lock TransUnion credit files to stop cybercriminals from opening accounts in your name.

CONS

  • The monthly fee increases after year one, with the Ultimate Plus package costing $9 more.
  • LifeLock is only available to individuals, not businesses.
    Children must be added individually, making it expensive for large families.
  • A spouse or partner must purchase a separate package.
    The restoration service is only available during business hours.
  • If assets over $1,000,000 are stolen, you will need coverage from another provider.
  • 3-bureau credit monitoring and reporting is only available on the most expensive package.
    Device protection is limited unless you purchase the LifeLock Ultimate Plus plan.
  • There is a stark difference between low-cost and high-cost plans.

Discover Features and Services 

Security Features and Identity Protection

Discover identity theft protection services provide a host of excellent security features, protecting you from potential cybercrimes. It monitors your financial accounts, credit scoring, SSN and surveys the dark web for any misuse of your information.

Discover customers gain access to a digital dashboard, where you can view your information and receive alerts for potential breaches.

Your personal address and identification are monitored carefully against the National Change of Address database and criminal records to ensure nobody is falsely using this information.

Credit Monitoring

Discover credit monitoring provides customers with a monthly credit score update. Three-bureau credit alerts are also sent out when key changes are reported to your credit file.

Since your finances are likely to be your most valuable asset to cybercriminals, closely monitoring your accounts and credit score allows Discover to spot any fraudulent activity quickly.

Recovery

Most identity protection services can’t guarantee that theft won’t occur. If Discover customers become identity theft victims, they can receive up to $1,000,000 in reimbursement for stolen funds, lost wages, and other expenses. Discover has a $0 Fraud Liability Guarantee, so customers are never responsible for unauthorized purchases on their Discover cards.

Identity theft victims gain access to Discover’s US-based fraud resolution specialists.

Pricing and Plans

Discover Identity Theft Protection

There is only one available Discover plan. It is competitively priced at $15 per month. The offer is limited to Discover cardholders, but it isn’t mandatory.

As there are no tiered service offerings, all discover identity protection customers avail of the full range of services.

One of the most standout aspects of the package is the Discover family plan option. Although there is no specific package for families, children can be added to your plan for free. Up to 10 children can avail of dark web alerts, SSN identity alerts, identity theft insurance coverage, and full-service resolution.

Unfortunately, children are also targets of cybercriminals, so this is a great family option.

Pros and Cons

PROS

  • Competitive price at just $15 per month.
  • The highly-rated Discover app is available for Android and iOS-based devices.
  • Up to 10 children can be added to your plan for free.
    Credit reports are provided monthly.
  • Up to $1,000,000 in reimbursements are available if theft occurs.
  • Customer service is available 24/7.
  • Comprehensive Experian alert system keeps you updated for a range of account activities.
  • Resolution service assists in regaining stolen information if a theft occurs.
  • Monitors key databases, including the USPS, to ensure no accounts are being opened in your name.

CONS

  • There is only one available plan, preventing customers from upgrading to an improved service.
  • Discover only surveys Experian on a daily basis, leaving two bureaus unmonitored.
  • Alerts are limited to digital or mobile notifications, whereas LifeLock has a phone call option.
  • If your targeted assets exceed a value of $1,000,000, you’ll need alternative coverage.
  • Discover identity theft protection is only available to
  • Discover debit and credit card holders.
  • Discover doesn’t offer any device protection services like LifeLock.
  • Discover offers a single insurance policy if theft occurs, compared to LifeLock’s 3.
  • Your spouse or partner is required to purchase a separate plan.

More about Norton 360 with LifeLock

Competitors: LifeLock vs Cyberscout: Defend yourself online

Conclusion

LifeLock and Discover offer two very different services. While some of their core security features align, the additional device protection measures and 3-bureau monitoring offered by LifeLock makes it the more comprehensive provider.

Unfortunately, Discover identity protection is only available to Discover credit or debit card holders. If you’re not a Discover member already, you do not qualify for its identity protection services.

Although Discover is reasonably priced and allows up to 10 children to be added to a plan for free, the security features are no match for the LifeLock Advantage and Ultimate Plus plans. The LifeLock alert systems are more extensive, and the 3-bureau monitoring system gives you far better coverage than Discover’s Experian alternative.

LifeLock offers more diverse financial security features. It monitors all types of bank accounts, including 401(k) and investment accounts. These are some of the most valuable financial assets that a person can have, meaning they must be protected.

With only 1 available plan, Discover identity protection is quite restrictive. LifeLock offers 4 different packages at a variety of price points, allowing its customers to choose a plan that suits their specific needs. The added benefit of device security makes it the perfect choice for a modern consumer.

If you’ve decided to take you and your family’s personal security more seriously, invest in security protection today. LifeLock is the superior choice in creating a safer future.

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About the Author

Keith Morris is a 20+ year veteran of the security game, with the knowledge and experience to set you on the right track toward personal safety and security. His firm is committed to giving you the tools and know-how to combat any threat to your safety.